Nursenblack's Reading List 2012

[~Andrea~]

The Unbecoming Of Mary Dyer sounds great Nursenblack, just added it to my wish list.

[lauraloves]

I have Unenchanted on my kindle and i cant wait to get around to it now

[nursenblack]

Finished Sept 22nd

 

 

#31

 

Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake

 

synopsis from amazon.com

"Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. They follow legends and local lore, destroy the murderous dead, and keep pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

Searching for a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas expects the usual: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

Yet she spares Cas's."

From the first chapter, I was totally hooked. What a brilliant concept, a teenage ghost-killer, for a YA novel, or any novel for that matter. I really enjoyed the story especially the first half of the novel. However, by the time I got the end, my enthusiasm had waned a bit. It became almost too unrealistic, even for a supernatural story. Also, I think the romantic aspects were not quite…enthusiastic enough for my tastes. A good read overall, not scary (except for the first chapter) but graphic and well written. (3.5/5)

[nursenblack]

Finished Oct 5th

 

#32

 

Wonder by R.J. Palacio (via Kindle per library loan)

 

synopsis from amazon.com

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a New York Times bestseller, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.

In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

 

Wonder is a gem of a novel. Written for middle school ages, but an emotional and special story about acceptance for the young and old alike. Palacio writes in the remarkable voice of an extraordiary boy who longs to be seen as normal. A uplifting must read! (5/5)

[nursenblack]

Finished Oct 25th

 

#33

 

The Stand by Stephen King (via Kindle per library loan)

 

synopsis from amazon.com

 

Stephen King’s apocalyptic vision of a world blasted by plague and tangled in an elemental struggle between good and evil remains as riveting and eerily plausible as when it was first published.

A patient escapes from a biological testing facility, unknowingly carrying a deadly weapon: a mutated strain of super-flu that will wipe out 99 percent of the world’s population within a few weeks. Those who remain are scared, bewildered, and in need of a leader. Two emerge—Mother Abagail, the benevolent 108-year-old woman who urges them to build a peaceful community in Boulder, Colorado; and Randall Flagg, the nefarious “Dark Man,” who delights in chaos and violence. As the dark man and the peaceful woman gather power, the survivors will have to choose between them—and ultimately decide the fate of all humanity.

 

I finally got up enough courage to tackle this monster of a book. I'm so glad I did. The Stand is an apocalyptic novel in a very real and scary way - a super plague that wipes out most of the world's population, including some animals. The villian, Randall Flagg or the Dark Man, brings the supernatural element to the story that makes the end of the human race even more terrifying. (4/5)

[vodkafan]

Ah Nursenblack thank you and curse you!! I have to get 3 of your recent books now or regret forever!

 

(PS : The Stand isn't one of them)

Edited October 31, 2012 by vodkafan

[nursenblack]

Somewhere along the line I forgot to add that I read Fifty Shades Freed. So here it is:

 

Finished Sometime in July

 

#34

 

 

Fifty Shades Freed by E. L. James

 

synopsis from amazon.com

When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian’s singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees.

Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past. Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana’s deepest fears turn to reality.

This book is intended for mature audiences.

I found the last of the Fifty Shades trilogy to be a real snoozer, and had difficulty finishing it at times. I'm not sure why it is, but for me the chase is what creates the tension in these love stories and beginning with the novel with couple already wed tends to damper my enthusiasm. I had the same problem with the novel's muse, the Twilight series. Sure, there are some interesting moments, but mostly drivel. (2/5)

[nursenblack]

Finished November 10th

 

#35

 

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

The title of this book pretty much sums up what this story is about. Honest Abe not only freed the slaves, but also slayed vampires with vengeance for killing his mother. I loved the concept and enjoyed the story, but it was not nearly as exciting as I had hoped. (3/5)

[nursenblack]

#36

 

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

 

 

syopsis from amazon.com

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

 

I cannot say enough good things about this ya debut. It's a perfect blend of fantasy, sci-fi, and romance that left me wanting more. Hourglass offers a unique take on time travel and spices things up wIth a delicious love triangle. I can't wait to get my hands on Timepiece. Definitely one of the best ya novels i've read in awhile. (5/5)

Edited November 25, 2012 by nursenblack

[chaliepud]

#36

 

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

 

 

syopsis from amazon.com

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

 

I cannot say enough good things about ya debut. It's a perfect blend of fantasy, sci-fi, and romance that left me wanting more. Hourglass offers a unique take on time travel and spices things up wIth a delicious love triangle. I can't wait to get my hands on Timepiece. Definitely one of the best ya novels i've read in awhile. (5/5)

 

This has been on my wish list for a long while now, I really must get through my TBR pile as quick as I can so I can buy it!!

[nursenblack]

#37

 

Shadow of NIght by Deborah Harkness (via library loan)

 

 

synopis from amzon.com

Deborah Harkness exploded onto the literary scene with her debut novel, A Discovery of Witches, Book One of the magical All Souls Trilogy and an international publishing phenomenon. The novel introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and the handsome geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont; together they found themselves at the center of a supernatural battle over an enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.

Now, picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens.

 

Sadly, the enthusiasm I had for the All Souls Triolgy waned terribly with Shadow of Night. I wanted to zoom through this novel with the same velocity as I did The Discovery of Witches, but it has taken me much longer than expected to finish it. I love the idea of the novel (witches, vampires and time travel), but the story I fell in love become lost in the details...way too much detail. At times I wasn't sure whether I had picked up a history book by mistake or a tale of star crossed lovers disguised as a history book. Don't get me wrong, I really loved some chapters, but had to wait until the end of the novel to read anything riveting. I'm going to have a really hard time deciding whether or not to read the third novel. (2/5)

[nursenblack]

Oh, I'm so disappointed in myself. My goal this year was 45 books to be read, and I'm only on number 38 right now. There's no way I can make it to 45 now.

[nursenblack]

Finished December 20th

 

#38

 

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull (via library loan)

 

 

synopsis from amazon.com

Kendra and her brother, Seth, have no idea that their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws keep relative order among the greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. But when the rules get broken, powerful forces are unleashed, and Kendra and her brother face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save their family, Fablehaven, and maybe even the world, Kendra and Seth must find the courage to do what they fear most...

 

 

Fablehaven, the first of a series, is an engaging children's fantasy that's fun for adults (like me) as well. This story has it all: fairies, imps, a witch, a troll and more. Everytime I read a children's or ya book that I enjoy as much as I did Fablehaven I think, where were these books when I was a kid? Good thing I'm still a kid at heart. I really need to read the rest of the Fablehaven series. (4/5)

[nursenblack]

Finished December 29th

 

# 39

 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (via kindle per library loan)

 

synopsis from amazon.com

Marriage can be a real killer.

One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around.

 

 

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It seems to me that readers either love or hate Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn's psychological thriller that is buzzing. I can say, wholeheartedly, that I am one of the lovers. At first, the story is engaging, but seems more of a tale of a marriage that is in trouble. But when Nick comes home to find his wife, Amy, missing on their fifth wedding anniversary, the novel ignites into a mystery that takes a wicked turn.

I have to take a moment to say that the haters are usually hating the ending (no worries; I won't reveal anything), but I found it fitting and a bit creepy in the scheme of things. Amazing, thrilling fun! Don't take my word for it, read it. (5/5)

[chaliepud]

Gone Girl looks good NB, another for the wish list!

[bobblybear]

Ooh, I'm dying to read Gone Girl. I've had it on my wishlist for a little while and have seen it highly recommended in various places on the net.

[frankie]

 

 

 

Thanks for the review, this is so going on my wishlist!